Dominic D'Agostino is an assistant professor who researches ketogenic diets and ketone supplements to treat cancer and other conditions. He collaborated with Dr. Peter Attia on an experiment testing the effects of ketones on muscle health and athletic performance. The experiment found that individuals consuming exogenous ketones through mineral salts required less oxygen during exercise at a set workload compared to being in a state of mild nutritional ketosis. Further research is needed to understand if energy efficiency increases with longer exercise sessions and the differences in oxygen consumption between keto-adapted and non-keto adapted athletes. More details about the study can be found on Dr. Attia's blog.

1. By Dominic D'Agostino

2.  Holding a PhD in physiology and neuroscience,
Dominic D’Agostino is an assistant professor
with the University of South Florida. He has a
particular research interest in the development of
ketone supplements and ketogenic diets as a way
of fighting conditions such as cancer. A
ketogenic diet is one that eliminates glucose and
helps achieve ketosis, a metabolic state in which
the liver generates tiny organic molecules called
ketone bodies. This in turn can affect levels of
oxygen intake required for physical activities,
which can also affect muscle health.

3.  Dominic D’Agostino has engaged in research with
Peter Attia, MD, who authors The Eating Academy
blog. A recent article looks at an experiment into the
body’s use of ketones and the implications for
muscle health and athletic performance.
Dr. Attia's hypothesis was that the keto-adapted
individual, operating under a set workload, would
need less oxygen when taking in exogenous ketones.
Tests were conducted on a stationary bike, with the
first test set conducted under mild nutritional ketosis
conditions. The second set followed ingestion of a set
amount of mineral salt, which created an “artificial
ketosis” situation.

4.  Measurements were taken throughout the test
sets of elements such as blood glucose and BHB.
Key questions from this initial-stage experiment
revolve around whether energy efficiency will
increase if exercise sessions last longer, and the
differences in oxygen consumption between
athletes who are keto-adapted vs. not producing
endogenous ketones. More details of the study,
as well as links to background materials further
explaining ketosis, can be found at
www.eatingacademy.com.